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Local MCP servers (Stdio)

MCP servers enable powerful local integrations that work only in the desktop application. The web version cannot use stdio-based MCP servers due to browser security limitations.

Desktop vs. Web comparison​

FeatureDesktop AppWeb App
Stdio MCP✅ Full support❌ Not available
SSE MCP✅ Supported✅ Supported
Local tools✅ Execute locally✅ Limited
File system✅ Full access❌ Limited
Command line✅ Direct access❌ Not available

Why? Browsers cannot execute command-line programs for security reasons. The desktop app runs directly on your computer, so it can use powerful local tools via stdio MCP servers.

What is MCP?​

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard for connecting AI assistants to tools and data sources. MCP servers:

  • ✅ Run locally on your computer
  • ✅ Communicate via standard input/output (stdio)
  • ✅ Provide tools and data to the AI
  • ✅ Keep everything on your computer
  • ✅ Completely free and open source

How it works​

You → Desktop App → MCP Server → Tool/Data
        (chat)                 (execution)

The AI uses available MCP servers when you ask it to perform tasks that require tools.

Finding MCP servers​

Official directory​

Browse available MCP servers at:

  • Productivity: Task automation, note-taking, file management
  • Development: Git, databases, code tools
  • Data: Analytics, research tools, data processing
  • Business: CRM, project management, reporting

For corporate users and business teams, these servers add significant value:

Business Intelligence​

  • web-search - Research market and competitors
  • github - Access code repositories
  • slack - Integrate with team communication
  • sheets - Work with spreadsheet data

Productivity & Automation​

  • calendar - Schedule management
  • email - Email integration
  • file-system - Document management
  • database - Data access and queries

Analysis & Reporting​

  • python - Data analysis
  • sql - Database queries
  • analytics - Data processing
  • csv - Data manipulation

How to register an MCP server​

Step 1: Find and install​

  1. Choose a server from the directory
  2. Follow the installation instructions
  3. Note the command to start the server

Step 2: Configure in desktop app​

  1. Open AI-School Desktop
  2. Go to Settings → MCP Servers
  3. Click Add Server
  4. Enter:
    • Name: Server name
    • Command: How to start the server
    • Arguments: Any arguments needed
  5. Click Save

Step 3: Use in chat​

Once registered, the server's tools are automatically available:

You: Use the web-search tool to research our market competitors
AI: [uses the tool and provides analysis]

Example installations​

GitHub Server​

# Install
npm install -g @mcp/github

# Start with token
GITHUB_TOKEN=your_token mcp-github

Python Data Analysis Server​

# Install
pip install mcp-python-analyzer

# Start
mcp-python-analyzer

SQL Database Server​

# Install
npm install -g @mcp/sql

# Start with connection string
DATABASE_URL=your_db_url mcp-sql

Building your own MCP server​

You can create custom MCP servers for your specific business needs!

Why build one?​

  • Automate business processes
  • Integrate with custom systems
  • Connect to proprietary tools
  • Share with your team

Getting started​

  1. Visit MCP Protocol Documentation
  2. Choose your language (Python, JavaScript, Go, etc.)
  3. Follow the tutorial
  4. Deploy to your desktop app

Simple Python example​

from mcp.server import Server

server = Server("business-tool")

@server.tool
async def analyze_data(csv_path: str) -> str:
    # Your analysis logic
    return "Analysis results"

server.run()

Register it in the desktop app and start using it!

Safety and security​

Run with confidence​

  • ✅ MCP servers run locally on your computer
  • ✅ No data leaves your computer
  • ✅ You control which servers are active
  • ✅ Disable servers you don't need

Best practices​

  1. Install from trusted sources - Use official repositories
  2. Review the code - Check open-source implementations
  3. Test first - Try in a test folder before important tasks
  4. Disable unused servers - Remove servers you're not using
  5. Keep updated - Install security updates

Troubleshooting​

Server not appearing in the list?

  • Verify the server is installed correctly
  • Check the start command is correct
  • Restart the desktop application

"Server failed to start" error?

  • Check server installation
  • Verify any required environment variables
  • See server documentation for details

Tools not available in chat?

  • Confirm server is running
  • Reload the chat conversation
  • Check server status in settings